Opportunity to deliver holistic alcohol and other drug service 

SEMPHN is pleased to invite eligible organisations to tender to deliver alcohol and other drug and wellbeing services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across the lifespan.

Prospective service providers will be invited to present a service model that meets the needs of local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. 

The successful service provider is expected to ensure an appropriate mix of qualified staff are engaged to competently deliver culturally-appropriate care and provide holistic alcohol and other drug, mental and physical health services, with consideration to both formal qualifications and professional experience.

Eligibility

All Responses must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Be an Indigenous corporation registered under the Corporations Act 2001 (Corporations Act); Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs)
• Be an ACCHO who currently delivers on-site services within the SEMPHN catchment (see the Department of Health’s website for catchment boundaries)
• For additional eligibility criteria, read the tender specifications provided through SEMPHN's eProcure. 

Applying for this tender

• Questions for this tender close 10 February.
• All questions must be submitted via SEMPHN's eProcure. 
• Tender closes 17 February (3 pm).
• All tenders must be submitted via SEMPHN's eProcure.

Read more on the SEMPHN website, or access the full specifications on SEMPHN's eProcure. 

Watch the recording of our COVID Vaccine Rollout Strategy webinar

On Friday 5 February, we hosted a webinar regarding the upcoming COVID-19 vaccine rollout. 

Over 300 GPs and staff were able to hear from staff and external experts on topics including:

• Overview of rollout strategy, including roles of GPs and hospitals
• Update from the Commonwealth Department of Health
• EOI update – process & next steps
• MBS implications, GP payments and changes
• Vaccine types and uses
• Coldchain management and rollout
• Impact of other vaccinations

Please head to our webpage on the vaccination rollout for more information to watch the entire recording.  We will also be forwarding the recording and a summary of the themes raised to assist in their planning for the future.

To keep up to speed on COVID related news, subscribe to SMS updates: email your name and mobile number to Georgina.Ladd@semphn.org.au

COVID-19 Vaccination Training

The Australian Government has partnered with the Australian College of Nursing to develop and deliver free and accredited training modules for individuals involved in the administration of COVID-19 vaccines.

Training will also be available for non-clinical and administration staff, who will be able to access the non-clinical modules of the training such as handling, storage and administrative reporting.

Training modules COVID-19 vaccine training modules are categorised into two groups, core and additional.

• Core COVID-19 modules involve training for COVID-19 vaccination more broadly.
• Additional COVID-19 modules are specific to individual vaccine candidates.

Once the training is available, a link will be provided on the Department’s webpage. We will advise when the training is available, via our usual communication channels.

HeadtoHelp: find the right mental health service for your patients

HeadtoHelp is a free service option which can help you manage patients who are experiencing stress, anxiety and other mental health issues.

If you have a patient who needs mental health support, you can refer them to HeadtoHelp Ph: 1800 595 212 Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm. Anyone can call.

There are 15 hubs in Victoria. In South Eastern Melbourne, the hubs are located in Frankston, Officer and Berwick. These hubs provide onsite support for those who need it. Services are also available through telehealth.

The hubs’ multidisciplinary teams of mental health workers, including psychologists, mental health nurses, social workers, and alcohol and drug workers, will coordinate with you - the patient’s regular GP – or help them find a regular GP if they do not have one.

Services are free of charge and a Medicare card or ID is not required.

See the FAQ for service providers here.

Learn more here.

Cancelled: February Practice Nurse Network Meeting 

Unfortunately, SEMPHN has cancelled the upcoming Practice Nurse Network Meeting for February as we were unable to lock in a speaker for the event. 

Stay tuned for the next meeting coming up in March. 

Meanwhile, are you connected with us on Basecamp?

SEMPHN offers an online platform called Basecamp to enable practices to stay connected and share information and resources with their peers. 

Practice Nurses in the catchment can join Basecamp by requesting it either through their Provider Support Officer or by contacting SEMPHN.

Email: providersupport@semphn.org.au Phone: 1300 331 981 (option 3)

Applications open for GPs interested in Advanced Skills Training for AOD

The RACGP Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) GP Education Program is a Commonwealth government-funded program aiming to upskill GPs to better address drug and alcohol addiction in their local communities.

Applications for Advanced Skills training are now open for a limited time from 18 January – 15 March 2021.

Advanced Skills Training is for more experienced GPs wanting to develop their own personalised AOD learning plan to tackle the alcohol and other drug issues specific to their local community.

Spaces are limited. GPs who complete this training receive a $2,500 grant payment.

For more information on eligibility, grant payments and to apply for Advanced Skills Training, visit the RACGP AOD GP Education Program Website.

Have you heard of the upcoming Healthcare Worker Wellbeing Centre?

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of healthcare worker wellbeing. 

To make sure we don't lose sight of this, the Victorian Government has funded a new Healthcare Worker Wellbeing Centre. 

Led by Safer Care Victoria's Chief Clinical Officers, it is the first of its kind in Australia, and provides support for all who work in clinical and non-clinical roles in health services, community health and aged and primary care settings.

The centre will:

• provide direct links to organisations, tools and resources for healthcare workers to support their own mental health and wellbeing 
• share tools, resources and training to help organisational leaders and managers to better support their staff 
• look at ways to create system level changes and embed worker wellbeing as a priority across the broader health system.

The centre launches today at 10am. Register here to attend the virtual launch. 

Read more about the Centre.

Need advice on psychotropic drug medications for your patients?

The Psychotropic Drug Advisory Service (PDAS) is a Victorian statewide specialist service, based at Alfred Health.

PDAS provides independent information on psychiatric medicines and other psychoactive substances to consultant psychiatrists, general practitioners, allied health professionals, consumers, carers, and other support organisations.

Pharmacists experienced in medicines management within the specialty of mental health provide the service. 

You can ask general or specific questions about medication, including what the medication does, what the side effects are, or alternative medications that me be available. 

PDAS can offer medication advice but is unable to comment on diagnosis.

For more information, contact:
Email: PDAS@alfred.org.au
Phone: (03) 9076 8036 | Mobile 0417 536 655
Monday to Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm